Re: Stop Accepting Cash = Less Robberies

Does anyone think it may be feasable to post undercover cops in high risk or isolated bars/restaurants in the evening hours to deter robberies? If WAPA doesnt wipe out the bar owners these scumbacket thugs will

Re: Stop Accepting Cash = Less Robberies

I used to live in downtown C'sted in a well-known historic greathouse. Lived there for two seasons. Always carried a machete with me when I had to walk somewhere at night. I work at home and one afternoon noticed two white guys loitering outside of a home that was currently unoccupied and up for sale/rent; my landlord advised me it had been the subject of several recent robberies. The guys were looking all suspicious (glancing this way and that) and finally, one hoisted the other up over the locked gate. I said, loud enough for them to hear, "Really, guys?" and they just looked around even more suspiciously and then the first guy opened the gate from the inside and let the other in. So, being a good neighbor, I called VIPD. The dispatcher had ZERO interest in my story of an alleged break in until I mentioned that it was two guys were white and then OHMYGOD the WHOLE FREAKING VIPD SQUADREON showed up. Half a dozen cops, lights and sirens a-blazing, bullet-vested guys in SWAT team gear with guns drawn, a K-9 unit, police SUVs, forensic trucks ... there may have even been an ambulance and a fire truck. All before I got off the phone with the dispatcher -- less than five minutes.

Re: Stop Accepting Cash = Less Robberies

The only real solution to the problem....is to hire a new police chief ....and police officers....making the stipulation that they cannot have any relatives living on the islands.....If they hired police from the mainland....this would not be a problem. How about hiring ex-military police coming home from Afghanistan whose roots are on the mainland.

Re: Stop Accepting Cash = Less Robberies

That's pretty much the truth.The cops are either Keystone Cops or Criminally Corrupt.

I haven't even lived here for a full year and I know three people who've been murdered this summer alone. One at the place I use to work, that now isn't open.

If the bar didn't accept cash at night, the robbers would come earlier. If they didn't accept it at all, the robbers would steal other stuff. All that would do is hurt the business owners, not accepting cash.

The bars need a better alarm system, similar to banks. Heck, I worked in a junkyard that had open phone lines all the time. You pick it up and every other yard can hear you through the speaker. You could alert every bar and the cops at the same time. You just need cops who are willing to do something.

Re: Stop Accepting Cash = Less Robberies

Does anyone really carry cash and jewelery when they go out at night on STX? I know I don't. I think the credit/debit card only idea is worth trying but as sunshinefun suggests, all area businesses need to particiapate to make it effective. The only reason to accept cash is to not declare the income me thinks.

Re: Stop Accepting Cash = Less Robberies

Quotevicanuck
Does anyone really carry cash and jewelery when they go out at night on STX? I know I don't. I think the credit/debit card only idea is worth trying but as sunshinefun suggests, all area businesses need to particiapate to make it effective. The only reason to accept cash is to not declare the income me thinks.

Last time I went to Eat I asked my compainions if they thought I should leave my jewelry at home. They laughed, but I don't think it can be considered a joke anymore.

How utterly RIDICULOUS that in a community this size, I need to worry about that in any kind of legitimate way. I've lived in some of the biggest cities in the WORLD and thoughts like this never crossed my mind.

Re: Stop Accepting Cash = Less Robberies

i lived outside of dc and was never affraid. i have lived here for 8 years-we do not go out at night that much any more and if we do, we only go to certain places that have well lit parking. even when you take these precautions it does not gurantee your safety.

i purposley do not wear any jewelry either. it is a shame that we have to change how we live to try to stay safe from the bad guys

Re: Stop Accepting Cash = Less Robberies

From first-hand experience, the OP's proposal is impractical and illogical. There are very simple procedures a bar/restaurant owner can take to limit the losses in the event of a robbery and if anyone on this forum is an owner/manager who can benefit from my own experiences (learned the hard way) I'd be happy to share via PM.

Re: Stop Accepting Cash = Less Robberies

Cash is and will be phased out by the good folks who control the world's economies sooner or later so why not start now?

I

Impractical and illogical for so many reasons. I honestly don't know where to start to even begin to respond. Owned a business? Know anything about running a business? Pose such a question on any forum in anywhere USA or anywhere World and you'll likely not even get one response.

And as far as your second sentence is concerned, you think the USVI and its business owners would even contemplate setting the basis for a "sooner or later" scenario such as you suggest with the expectation that the rest of the world would follow suit?

Re: Stop Accepting Cash = Less Robberies

Quotespeee1dy
i lived outside of dc and was never affraid. i have lived here for 8 years-we do not go out at night that much any more and if we do, we only go to certain places that have well lit parking. even when you take these precautions it does not gurantee your safety.

i purposley do not wear any jewelry either. it is a shame that we have to change how we live to try to stay safe from the bad guys

Spent the summer in Chicago -- and despite it having one of the highest murder rates this year -- it still doesn't come close to the random crime you see here. Like, seriously? I'm not supposed to wear my wedding ring? Or carry a purse? Or a cellphone?

"Does anyone really carry cash and jewelery when they go out at night on STX?"

Not anymore. But you abso-freakin-lutly should be able to without fear. Especially in reputable joints like Eat and Coconuts.

Re: Stop Accepting Cash = Less Robberies

While nothing will stop violence and crime entirely, here are three (3) brainstorming ideas which take virtually no effort:

1) Offer Businesses a tax break for installing a comprehensive security system (much like the tax breaks for "Going Solar&quot;

2) Offer Businesses a reduction of its Gross Receipts Tax liability for hiring a full-time Security Guard/Company (this also helps with unemployment);

3) Close the Cash for Gold and Pawn Shops. My apologies to those who frequent such establishments with good intentions, but the bad significantly outwieghs the good to the community. With the existing regulations going largely ignored, these establishments are not helping the VI - just don't renew existing or issue new licenses for this type of business.

Re: Stop Accepting Cash = Less Robberies

QuoteIsle Tell Ya
While nothing will stop violence and crime entirely, here are three (3) brainstorming ideas which take virtually no effort:

1) Offer Businesses a tax break for installing a comprehensive security system (much like the tax breaks for "Going Solar&quot;

2) Offer Businesses a reduction of its Gross Receipts Tax liability for hiring a full-time Security Guard/Company (this also helps with unemployment);

3) Close the Cash for Gold and Pawn Shops. My apologies to those who frequent such establishments with good intentions, but the bad significantly outwieghs the good to the community. With the existing regulations going largely ignored, these establishments are not helping the VI - just don't renew existing or issue new licenses for this type of business.

Interesting thoughts, and to add...

1) Security systems are only usefull if the police will use the information to arrest the perpertrators - AND the court system follows through with convictions instead of 'dismissals'.

2) Good suggestion. But can a security guard really do much against armed offendors without risk to the patrons present? Even if the guard is armed, while it could be a deterent, in all liklihood it results in another weapon in the hands of the crims.

Re: Stop Accepting Cash = Less Robberies

How about Marshall Law? These islands need new , different, police with NO ties to the community....otherwise it will continue to spiral down....because the criminals don't fear the law....they just go there for sunday dinner at mom's house.

Re: Stop Accepting Cash = Less Robberies

1) It is immediately politicized as not being culturally sensitive and as a takeover of the island by outsiders. This increases the Us V Them attitude and can have the effect of turning regular folks to the side of the crims, becoming even less likely to step up and say they saw something. The solution must come from within, with external help and cooperation, but almost certainly with the locals in the lead (even if only figuratively?) to maintain buy-in.

2) Even if we have external police forces making arrests, we need to make sure our judicial system isn't a revolving door. Too many cases are dismissed, penalties not enforced. We have become a factory for career criminals, not only due to the lack of enforcement, but almost more importantly that we don't hold criminals accountable for their actions. Too many times we read of offences being carried out while persons are under 'house arrest' for similar crimes awaiting trial, or perpetrators with multiple prior arrests resulting in dismissals or slap on the wrist sentencing.

Combine this with the most overpriced and least effective ($ vs. result) educational system under the US flag, and we end up with crime as a very attractive career path for our disenfranchised youth. (BTW: I'm not questioning the commitment of alot of our great teachers - more the educational system itself).

Re: Stop Accepting Cash = Less Robberies

If our Territory is going to continue to be dependent on funds from Washington to be sustainable (hopefully no one actually thinks it's not,) what is the difference if non-monetary assistance is provided? Don't know if anyone has noticed, but the "I'm fighting for more money from Washington" seems to be the only platform from our Delegate candidates and the sole argument for why you should vote for them. If the thought is that we need more money from Washington for education, crime, roads, etc. otherwise we can't fix anything, to not also ask for help that isn't monetary is foolish and naive.

For whatever reason, too many folks in the VI have this warped sense of entitlement that when their hand is out, the mainland better put money in it. If everyone in the mainland was exempt from paying taxes simply because their great grandparents were born on the mainland - I won't even finish because of how stupid it sounds. This is merely one example of the entitlement mindset that needs to go away.

The "we don't need or want Washington in our lives" slogan is a farce if we continue to put our hand out. Either we need them or we don't.

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